Tar Hollow State Park: Fire Tower Views and Remote Ridge Trails
Tar Hollow State Park is one of Ohio's most remote hikes: a climbable fire tower, the 15-mile Logan Trail, and miles of quiet ridge-and-hollow forest.
Ryan Jordan
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Ryan Jordan
Great Seal State Park: The Rugged Hills That Inspired the Ohio State Seal
Great Seal State Park near Chillicothe hides Ohio's most rugged ridge hiking. Climb Sugarloaf Mountain to the view that inspired the state seal.
Ryan Jordan
Lake Hope State Park: Iron Furnace Ruins and Deep Forest
Lake Hope State Park in remote Vinton County: a quiet forest lake, the 1850s Hope Furnace ruins, a ghost town, dark night skies, and legendary Ohio fall color.
Ryan Jordan
Gorge Metro Park: A Cuyahoga River Gorge Near Akron
Gorge Metro Park between Akron and Cuyahoga Falls: a Cuyahoga River gorge with sandstone ledges, Mary Campbell Cave, huge boulders, and a dam now being removed.
Ryan Jordan
Oak Openings Preserve Metro Park: Ohio's Rare Oak Savanna
Oak Openings Preserve near Toledo: a rare oak savanna of scattered oaks, sand dunes, wild lupine, and 50-plus miles of trails including the 16-mile Scout Trail.
Ryan Jordan
Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve: A Quiet Swamp Forest Loop
A guide to Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve near Columbus, Ohio — spring vernal pools, buttonbush swamps, boardwalk trails, and rare wildflowers.
Ryan Jordan
What to Pack for an Ohio Day Hike: A Tested Gear Checklist
A practical day-hike gear checklist for Ohio trails — boots, water, layers, and the safety items that matter, with no overpacking.
Ryan Jordan
Summer Hiking in Ohio: Heat, Humidity, Ticks, and Staying Safe
How to hike Ohio safely in summer — beating heat and humidity, avoiding ticks and poison ivy, and what to pack for hot, buggy trail days.
Ryan Jordan
Leo Petroglyph and Nature Preserve: Ancient Carvings and a Gorge
Visit Leo Petroglyph and Nature Preserve in Jackson County, Ohio: 37 ancient Fort Ancient carvings and a short, rugged hemlock-gorge trail.
Ryan Jordan
Charleston Falls Preserve: Ohio's Miniature Niagara Hike
A trail guide to Charleston Falls Preserve near Tipp City, Ohio — the 37-foot Miniature Niagara waterfall, grotto cave, and four miles of loops.
Ryan Jordan
Glen Helen Nature Preserve: Yellow Springs' Gorge and Cascades
Hiking Glen Helen Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs, Ohio: the Cascades waterfall, the Yellow Spring, limestone gorge trails, and 400-year-old trees.
Ryan Jordan
Shawnee State Park: Ohio's Little Smokies Hiking Guide
Shawnee State Park near Portsmouth, Ohio's Little Smokies: Appalachian ridge hikes, two swimming lakes, and the toughest backpacking trail in the state.
Ryan Jordan